Warm Fuzzies

Infinity Gown

A couple weeks ago, I used a sewing machine to sew a dress for a black-tie event that I would be attending...my first attempt at machine-sewing a garment, ever. I didn't want to make anything too complicated - I just wanted something simple and practical, yet elegant. I've had my eye on the infinity dress (pure genius) for a while now, and after seeing the very attractive results of a few other talented ladies, I decided to take the plunge and try my hand at making one for myself. I purchased extra fabric in case there were any mishaps. Of course, there was also a "Plan B" already hanging in my closet (who cares if I've already worn it before?) in case things the sewing gods really had it in for me.

I first used this instructable to make a floor-length A-line skirt. I was already aware that there was very little floor space available in my apartment, but this project really drove it home. It's a really big challenge to get fabric to lie flat when it's on top of a bed. But I somehow managed, and cut out the pieces. I sewed the pieces together, and due to the interest of time, did not finish any of the seams. If I could do it all over again, I would have taken the extra time to make the inside of the dress look as good as the outside. I did not bother making the waistband in the tutorial, opting to sew the waistband and shoulder straps to the skirt in one go. Next time, I think I will first finish the skirt with the waistband, and then attach the straps - just so the dress looks as well-assembled off as it does when it's on.

Sewing the dress was a breeze, and I spent some time playing with the shoulder straps and tying them in different ways. I love how the length of the straps allows for many different styles. Although the dress was less than perfect, it looked pretty darn good on, if I do say so myself.

At the last minute, I decided that I needed to put something in my hair.  I used fabric scraps to make little flower hairpins, which took all of 5 minutes.  I don't really have a good photograph, but you get the idea.

mmm...Pizza...and Cheese-kun

I have an unhealthy obsession with manga and anime.  I find the artwork fascinating, the stories thrilling, and the authors brilliant.  It’s always been a guilty pleasure of mine.  I recently finished watching Code Geass, and enjoyed it thoroughly, especially the first season.  Imagine my pleasure when I found this pattern for Cheese-Kun (Pizza Hut’s mascot in Japan, who makes a couple appearances in the animation).  I wasted no time diving into the project.

When I was 80% finished with crocheting my very own Cheese-Kun, I ran out of yarn.  To quote Kurtz, "The horror, the horror."  I actually purchased the yarn on clearance from my LYS, which unfortunately, did not have any left when I returned with the hopes of purchasing another ball to finish my project. (darn!) I was, however, able to find the same color in a cashmere-blend, and decided that the dyes matched well enough to make the purchase.  So that's how Cheese-Kun gained a bit of upper-class flair.  After stitching on a face and stuffing him, I looked at Cheese-Kun, and he looked at me. He was missing something.

I stopped by a Pizza Hut after work and sweet talked the pizza boy into giving me an empty Personal Pan Pizza box. I placed my Cheese-Kun next to the box. Hmm, still missing something. The pizza box felt...empty. So I knit a pizza slice to fill it.

And with that, my Cheese-Kun was complete. You see how happy he is?

I’m having a bit of trouble finding a place to display him, though. Wherever I put him and his entourage, they look out of place. Oh well, the space by my woefully neglected sewing machine will have to do.

Unexpected.

Wow.  It's been a long time since I last posted to this site, hasn't it?  I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with life and the twists and turns that come with it - I had intended to take a short break from posting, but before I knew it, 2 years have passed.  2 whole years.  Much has happened in these years (I'm married now!), but a lot has also remained the same.  Peculiar how that happens.  But I missed chronicling my projects here; I missed reading notes from people who happened to drop by; I missed feeling connected to and being inspired by the wonderful online craft community; I missed blogging.  And so, I am back. 

It's finally starting to warm up around here, and little splashes of green are starting to pop up all over the place.  I imagine people are getting out their trowels and shovels to put their hands into the earth, get a little dirty, and grow mighty plants from seeds and sprouts.  I'm very jealous.  I've only taken care of houseplants so far, and I haven't had much luck keeping them thriving for an extended period of time.  Since I was a little girl, I dreamed of growing my own fruits and vegetables in my yard, and sharing them with my friends and family.  Unfortunately, yards are hard to come by in the city, so I'll have to continue dreaming for a while...or make my own play garden.  A radish garden, yum yum.

But something was amiss...radishes kept vanishing, one after the other without a trace.  Suspicious, I spent a full day keeping watch of my garden and found...

Ninjabun!  And what a crafty bun he is.  He moves silently from one garden to the next, blending in to all that surrounds him.  Slowly, slowly, he approaches his target...

Artfully, with a practiced hand, he snuffs the life out of his prey.  (Ninjas are scary that way!)

After completing his task and with his belly full (I could not bear to share the gruesome images of the ferocious attack), Ninjabun vanishes from sight, as if he had never come.

 

I used a fun pattern from Mochimochi.  I made radishes instead of carrots, duplicate-stitched the "ninja suit" around ninjabun's face, and gave him a tail. 

Giant Pandas

Meet the newest members of my neighborhood....Mr. and Mrs. Panda (sorry guys, I haven't been feeling very creative with names lately, heh). 

Seeing that the leaves are finally turning around here, Mr. and Mrs. Panda decided to take a spin around Central Park to properly view the autumn foliage.  After all, Mr. and Mrs. Panda are always proper.

The happy couple enjoyed their stroll in Central Park, and were even able to catch a glimpse of the New York City Marathon.  "Ah, yes," Mr. Panda had said to his wife, "those runners are quite accomplished."  Mrs. Panda agreed.  "Quite," she said, impressed.  "I could run the distance, too," Mr. Panda boasted, "if I did not have to use this silly cane."  Mrs. Panda smiled at her husband.  He had always hated the thought of being overshadowed by somebody else.  "Of course you could, dear."

The youngest Panda did not join his parents for the stroll outside.  Glenny hated life in New York.  He spent most of his time indoors, holed up reading nature books.  He carried a selection of his favorites around with him at all times in a bookbag. 

Glenny resented the life to which he was born.  Giant pandas were not supposed to drink tea and eat scones like his parents, much less live in a big city. (Never-you-mind about reading books.  Education is a priority for everyone.  Even pandas.)  Glenny especially hated being a 3.5 inch tall giant panda.  Giant panda.  What a joke.

"Teenagers!" exclaimed a flustered Mrs. Panda, shaking her head.  Mr. Panda gave her a knowing look.  "He's just like me when I was a young bear.  He's naturally curious.  An intellectual.  Everything is going to be fine."  He gently patted his wife's hand, and the two shared a rare smile together.

*******************************************************************************

Giant Panda  

The Pandas are top-heavy bears; they have disproportionately big heads (hey, I meant that literally), and their arms are slightly longer than their legs.  If this bothers you, feel free to swap the arm and leg pieces for a more conventional-looking panda doll. *Note: Amigurumi animals are worked in the round, in one continuous spiral; do not join the rounds unless specifically instructed to do so.

Body

R1: Make a magic yarn loop, and sc 6 times into the loop.  Pull end to tighten loop.

R2: 2sc in each sc around (12 sts)

R3: *3sc, 2sc in next sc*  Repeat around (15 sts)

R4: *4sc, 2sc in next sc*  Repeat around (18 sts)

R5-10: sc in each sc around (18 sts)

R11: *4sc, sc dec in next 2 sc*  Repeat around (15 sts).  Fill bottom with some weighted plastic pellets (this helps keep Glenny upright after his huge head is attached), and stuff the body firmly with your stuffing material of choice.

R12: *3sc, sc dec in next 2 sc*  Repeat around (12 sts)

R13: sc dec in next 2 sc around (6 sts) to close.  Fasten off.

Head

R1: Make a magic yarn loop, and sc 4 times into the loop.  Pull end to tighten loop.

R2: 2sc in each sc around (8 sts)

R3: *sc, 2sc in next sc*  Repeat around (12 sts)

R4: *2sc, 2sc in next sc*  Repeat around (16 sts)

R5: *3sc, 2sc in next sc*  Repeat around (20 sts)

R6: *4sc, 2sc in next sc*  Repeat around (24 sts)

R7: *5sc, 2sc in next sc*  Repeat around (28 sts)

R8: *6sc, 2sc in next sc*  Repeat around (32 sts)

R9-11: sc in each sc around (32 sts).  Begin stuffing the head, and continue stuffing as you work the following rows.

R12: *6sc, sc dec in next 2 sts*  Repeat around (28 sts)

R13: *5sc, sc dec in next 2 sts*  Repeat around (24 sts)

R14: *4sc, sc dec in next 2 sts*  Repeat around (20 sts)

R15: *3sc, sc dec in next 2 sts*  Repeat around (16 sts)

R16: sc in next 2 sts across (12 sts).  Fasten off.

Leg (make 2)

R1: Make a magic yarn loop, and sc 4 times into the loop.  Pull end to tighten loop.

R2: 2sc in each sc across (8 sts)

R3-4: sc in each st around (8 sts).  Fasten off.

Arm (make 2)

R1: Make a magic yarn loop, and sc 4 times into the loop.  Pull end to tighten loop.

R2: 2sc in each sc across (8 sts)

R3-5: sc in each st around (8 sts).  Fasten off.

Ear (make 2) Note: not worked in the round!

R1: ch2, 4sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch1, turn (4 sts)

R2: 2sc in each sc around, ch1, turn (8 sts)

R3: *2sc, 2sc in next sc* Repeat across (12 sts). Fasten off.

Tail

R1: Make a magic yarn loop, and sc 4 times into the loop.  Pull end to tighten loop.

R2: *sc, 2sc in next sc* Repeat across (6 sts).  Fasten off.

Eye Pieces (make 2)

R1: Make a magic yarn loop, and sc 5 times into the loop.  Pull end to tighten loop.

R2: 2sc in each sc around (10 sts).  Fasten off.

To make up: Attach ears and eye pieces to head.  Sew head to body.  Attach arms, legs, and tail to body.  Weave in ends.  Use scrap yarn to embroider eyes, or attach beads. 

Lacy Skirt with Bows

I've always admired Kat Coyle's patterns for knitted skirts...they are all so stylish, wearable, and altogether lovely.  I had been plotting (yes, plotting) to knit up a skirt all summer...and now that it's fall (I'm just tickled pink with the fact that my knitting projects and seasonal weather never quite match up), I found myself casting on for Ms. Coyle's Lacy Skirt with Bows from Greetings from Knit Cafe.

I substituted Queensland Collection's Kathmandu DK for the recommended Twisted Sisters' Daktari yarn after reading about issues regarding inconsistency in dye saturation that others have experienced with the Daktari yarn.  I also went down a needle size to size 4 and 5 needles, mainly because my 6's seem to have gone where many of my socks go after they're washed in the machine.  I highly recommend the substitution of Kathmandu yarn, which is a blend of merino, cashmere, and silk, for the Daktari.  Kathmandu has a similar texture to slubbed cotton, feels great against bare skin, and has consistent coloring.

Since the colorway I chose is a warm tan with purplish tweedy flecks in it, I decided to accent the warm tones of the skirt with a purple ribbon.  I kind of splurged a little on the ribbon...it's hand-dyed silk in what the artist calls "Stormy Monday."  I purchased and used exactly 3 yards of ribbon and 4 balls of yarn...I didn't even have any yarn or ribbon leftover to use as a drawstring for the top of the skirt.  But I've been wearing it out anyway.

It is a little loose on top, so I'll have to fix the drawstring problem somehow.  I could pray to the knitting gods, cross my fingers, and hope that someone out there has a few extra yards of Kathmandu DK in the same colorway, but I think I may just plunk down the cash for another ball of yarn to knit the i-cord drawstring, and knit a hat or something with the leftover yarn.

Baby, it's (going to be) cold outside

My boss's daughter recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, so naturally, I took the time to make a little something for the new baby.  By chance, as I was sorting through my craft supplies, I came across two skeins of Lion Brand Homespun that my mother had sent to me when I first started to knit.  It would produce an easy-care, machine washable garment...perfect for a new mom who'll be too busy (and sleep deprived) to worry about hand-washing.

I did a quick search on Ravelry to see what baby garments other people whipped up using the yarn.  Baby, it's cold outside was a pretty popular pattern, and the original yarn called for by the designer was Homespun.  I was able to put two and two together.

The finished baby jacket is thick and plush; it will definitely do a good job of insulating the little one from the winter cold in 4-6 months.

I decided not to go with the option of making crochet buttons; I went to the M&J Trimming store and spent a long time browsing the buttons.  I was about to give up when I caught a glimplse of these gorgeous purple and black square buttons out of the corner of my eye.  Yay.  I love it when everything works out.  (Btw, this is totally unrelated, but I think I'm developing a "thing" for buttons.  Looking at all the styles makes me so happy.)

I still had some purple yarn left over, so I decided to crochet a matching hat.  I basically followed this pattern for a baby derby hat, omitting the popcorn stitches on top and starting with a 10 dc ring instead of 15.  For the extra little girly touch, I whipped up a quick little flower to decorate the band.

So when winter comes, however cold it may be outside, baby Olivia will be prepared.

Thermal

As soon as I realized that summer would soon draw to a close, I cast on for my first sweater.  After two months of toiling, I finally have a finished Thermal to share with you.

So how did Thermal, knit at such a small gauge, end up on my needles as my first completed sweater?  Well, a while back, I had this great idea...I would learn how to hand-dye my own yarn.  After all, wouldn't it be great to create my own colorways to use for my projects?  Clearly, all that buzz circling around about dyeing yarn with Kool-aid got to my head.  Eager to get myself started, I purchased 5 or 6 skeins of Knitpicks Bare Merino right away.  It was definitely one of those impulse purchases, because I never really got around to actually dyeing the yarn.  It sat around, untouched, for nearly a year.

Well, in mid-July, I decided to get real with myself...the natural-colored yarn would probably not get dyed any time soon, if at all.  I poked around looking for a pattern that would use up quite a bit of fingering weight yarn...Thermal immediately popped up.  I cast on. 

I wanted my sweater to be more fitted than in the pictures on Knitty, so I went down to size 1 needles for the body, and 0 for the sleeves.  Midway through my project, I got my invite to Ravelry, and happened across this lovely version.  I fell in love with Winnie's mod to shorten the sleeves (and her Thermal's color!).  I ended up knitting 3/4 length sleeves.  I had initially wanted to dye my sweater dark grey, but Winnie's version convinced me to go for more bluish color.  I dumped a touch of black and a glug of blue acid dye into a bucket of hot water, and ended up with a faded blue color.  (Dyeing, by the way, was a piece of cake.  Part of me is kicking myself for not dyeing all the yarn like I had originally intended.  I do have 2 more skeins leftover though, so I'll probably dye those after all, hehe.)

Although I don't have any close-up photos of them, I found the perfect buttons for it.  They're a pearly pale blue color, and they really match the color and texture of the sweater.  So I guess what I'm trying to say is, I love everything about this sweater: the fit, the look, the color, the buttons.  I know I'll be wearing this sweater a lot.

T.V. Jake

I've been working on some pretty time-consuming knitting projects lately, and needed a little change of pace.  So I picked up the crochet hook and whipped up a little something.

A remote-control holder!  Who said stuffies couldn't be practical?  T.V. Jake used to be a free pattern that was downloadable from here, but it looks like it's no longer available there.  But in case anyone's interested in the pattern, the bottom of my printout says that it was originally published in Crochet Home Magazine No. 58 in 1997.

I didn't have the plastic cat eyes called for in the pattern handy, so I just cut some goofy-looking eyes out of felt and used a glue-gun to secure them.

Now that we have Jake handy, our remote control now has a designated guardian, and Kyle and I will no longer have to waste time looking for the remote.  Well, theoretically.  We didn't have much of a chance to test things out.  It didn't take Oscar long to get jealous of the attention we were paying to Jake.  He took a sudden interest in the remote.  He wanted to guard the remote, too.  Or so we thought.  Enter Exhibit A:

Oscar attacked all of the buttons.  Okay, nearly all the buttons.  He was kind enough to leave the "Enter" button unscathed.  Who'd have thought that rubber was so tasty?  Needless to say, the remote is significantly harder to use now.  It's now permanently resting in Jake's grasp; we aren't going to bother with it anymore.  It gets pretty frustrating when you have to push the volume button more than a dozen times to get the volume to go down by one bar.  But you know what?  Getting up off the ole bottom to walk a couple of feet to change the channel isn't even that much of an inconvenience.  It's actually pretty refreshing to get up and stretch your legs once in a while. 

Perhaps Oscar really did know what he was doing all along...

Raspberry Shortbread Cookies with Almond Glaze

Ugh, is it Monday already?  This is what I feel like:

    

Oscar's not ready to begin a new week, either.  But there's a big difference between being a rabbit and being a human...the human must get out of bed.  Spoiled little rabbits like Oscar can just go on and sleep the day away, while his human runs around getting fresh food and water for him, cleans his litter box, and gets ready for a full day of work.  Ah, what I wouldn't give to be cute and cuddly for a day.

But Oscar's human had the foresight to make a little pick-me-up this morning.  They almost make her forget that it's Monday.  Almost.

Raspberry Shortbread Cookies with Almond Glaze (makes about 36 pieces)

A few ingredients go a long way with these buttery little thumbprint cookies.  While the glaze isn't an essential addition to the cookie, it brings out the almond flavor from the background, and makes for a pretty presentation.  Although I'm very fond of the combination of raspberry and almond, you can fill these cookies with any of your favorite fruit jams.  Apricot works well; so does cherry. 

1 cup butter, softened

2/3 cup granulated white sugar

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1/3 to 1/2 cup seedless red raspberry jam

  For Glaze:

1 cup powdered confectioner's sugar

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 to 3 teaspoons water

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. In a large bowl, cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in the almond extract.  Gradually mix in the flour until the dough just comes together.
3. Refrigerate dough for 1 hour.
4. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, placing them 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
5. Using your thumb or the back of a wooden spoon, gently make an indentation in the center of each dough ball.  Fill with raspberry jam.  Note: be careful not to over-fill, as the jam may bubble over as the cookies bake.
6. Bake for 14-18 minutes, until the edges of the cookies are golden.  If desired, top off the filling with a bit more raspberry jam.  Allow cookies to cool completely on the sheets.
7. Mix the powdered sugar, almond extract, and water to make the glaze.  Spoon glaze over cookies, creating a zig-zag pattern.  Allow glaze to set.

    

Kabuto Mushi - Horned Beetle Amigurumi

I've just realized that I haven't posted a stuffie in a while...the truth is, I haven't been making as many of them as I used to, mostly because I'm running out of places to put them.  New York apartments aren't exactly roomy, and stuffed toys (both purchased and handmade) have long ago taken over the place.  So I've been trying to resist the urge to make toys left and right, and to try and focus on crafting items that have a bit more utility...like bags and clothing.

But sometimes, you see, I just can't resist.  Behold.

Simon's a kabuto mushi, or horned beetle.  Although the instructions are in Japanese, charts are included, so the pattern is very easy to follow.  He's a bug, and for once, I'm not completely grossed out.  Why, I'd even say that he's cute.  But don't tell him that, because he'll get a big head.

I mean, look at him!  Seeing him scuttling across the floor makes me squeal.  Not in fear, mind you, but in delight.

But Simon's a macho guy.  He'd like me to show you his big horns.  So even though he may look sweet, the guy can put up a good fight.  Or so he says.

Although he has incredibly good looks and a very manly phisique, overall, Simon's just a mellow, easy-going guy.  He likes long walks, hanging out on wooden surfaces, and just chillin'.  Any she-beetle's out there interested in a date?  ...  ... ... No?  Didn't think so, but Simon insisted that I ask.  After all, stuffed beetles can be extremely intimidating.  Especially if they have horns.